Search

The Arbus igneous complex (SW Sardinia, Italy) represents a good example of a short time lived post-collisional composite pluton emplaced at shallow crustal level in the external zone of the Variscan chain. The pluton almost consists of granodiorite and leucogranite rock-suites emplaced at 304 ± 1 Ma within a main NW trending thrust separating the metamorphic wedge from the fold and thrust belt foreland. The pluton emplaced into a dilatational step over connecting two NW–SE dextral shear zones which belongs to a regional network of post-collisional strike-slip structures marking the transition from collision to post-collisional extension. The microstructure observed for quartz and K-feldspar confirms the lack of significant post-emplacement deformation, indicating only limited high-temperature sub-solidus recrystallization. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptivity data and field-structural analysis have been carried out to reconstruct the geometry of the pluton and the trajectories of magmatic flow in relation to regional deformation structures. Overall, the magmatic and the magnetic fabrics are broadly discordant with the metamorphic foliation of the country rocks, defining an EW trending elliptical asymmetric sill rooted in the SW quadrant. The reconstructed architecture combined to petrologic observation indicates that accretion of the pluton involved injection of multiple dykes through a sub-vertical feeder zone, combined to lateral flow of the roof controlled by inherited collisional structure. The duration of magmatic activity and the cooling history of the contact metamorphic aureole have been evaluated through a suite of 2D thermal models. All these observations, together with the available geochronological constraints are suggestive of very rapid construction of the pluton. The proposed emplacement model is fully consistent with the regional phase of strike-slip tectonics and widespread magmatism accommodating the large rotation of the Corsica-Sardinia block during the Carboniferous-Permian transition.

Global changes push to set up strategies able to mitigate and adapt agricultural and forest crops to environmental variability, and the sustainable intensification of production processes under agricultural and forestry systems is one of the approaches mainly supported. In Italy biomass and biogas are the renewable energy sources that have shown the greatest potential for growth in recent years. In this context, during the XV National Congress held in Bolzano in February 2018, the Italian Association of Agricultural Scientific Societies has promoted an analysis about potentialities and limits of the sustainable intensification of agricultural and forestry systems for bioenergy production. This document reports the outcome, in the form of a commented discussion, on the main evidences and proposals from technical-scientific and operational points of view.

Highlights • Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are detected in Japanese Akita dogs. • Healthy Akitas show a higher level of vitamin D than pathological ones. • Depigmented skin areas appearance is associated with low levels of vitamin D. • Sebaceous adenitis is the prevalent disease recorded among investigated Akitas., Low serum level of vitamin D has been linked to numerous diseases. The Akita breed of dog shows a high incidence of immune-mediated diseases such as uveodermatologic (UVD) syndrome and sebaceous adenitis (SA). Furthermore, in Japanese Akita dogs, skin depigmentation often appears after birth at different ages, in healthy dogs, and without any other symptoms. In humans poliosis is associated to low vitamin D level. The aim of this survey was to evaluate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in Japanese Akita dogs. One hundred and three Akita blood samples were collected for the 25(OH)D evaluation. Age, sex, current disease, presence and location of skin depigmentation, and diet were reported on a medical record. Based on history and clinical examination, dogs were classified according their health status as healthy (HE) or pathological (PA). The overall mean of 25(OH)D concentration was 82.42 ± 26.14 ng/mL, whereas the concentrations in the healthy dogs were significantly higher (84.90 ± 3.36 ng/mL) in comparison with the dogs with diseases (72.13 ± 4.09 ng/mL) (P

Artificial intelligence (AI) is going through a period of renewed interest and success thanks to the rise of neural networks, the staple of the so-called deep learning. Creating a computer program capable of writing believable music has been tried since the 1960s, with lackluster results. Composing music seemed something beyond the potential of machines, but recent developments in the field are challenging this conception. This article will explore the latest developments falling at the intersection between artificial intelligence and music and then investigate what possible impact such new technologies may have on the musical world, from a technical as well as an aesthetic standpoint, trying to demystify some common misconceptions and worries.

Clays are frequently proposed for the addition to dairy cattle diets to reduce the transfer of mycotoxins in milk. This study examined the effect of the addition of Clinoptilolite to the diet of lactating dairy cows on milk production and milk com- position. Thirty-two lactating Holstein cows (average lactation length: 142 d) were blocked according to milk production, parity, and days of lactation for assignment to one of two dietary treatments: control diet; control diet + Clinoptilolite, 200g/d. The control diet was based on corn and alfalfa silages, hay and concentrates, and did not contain aflatoxins above the safe level. The experimental period lasted 76 days. The Clinoptilolite supplementation did not affect milk yield and milk composition other than urea contents. The urea level in milk was negatively affected by Clinoptilolite addition (con- trol group 29.7 mg/100 ml vs Clinoptilolite group 31.3 mg/100ml). The dietary addition of Clinoptilolite did not change pH, ammonia content and VFA molar percentages in the rumen. No dietary effect on mineral contents of blood plasma (Na, K, Zn, and Ca) was observed. In case of clinoptilolite use in dairy cattle feeding, scarce negative effect on milk pro- duction and quality are expected.&nbsp

The microbial community in the guts of mammals is often seen as an important potential target in therapeutic and preventive interventions. The aim of the present study was to determine whether enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4 infection in young animals might be counteracted by a probiotic treatment with Lactobacillus sobrius DSM 16698. The experiment was conducted in three randomized consecutive replications, each consisting of 16 piglets, and including a control group and an L. sobrius fed group, both experimentally challenged with ETEC. During the entire trial, the animals' health status, body weight, and microbial parameters were monitored periodically. Probiotic supplementation containing L. sobrius significantly reduced the levels of ETEC in the ileum when fed directly to piglets after weaning. In contrast, the number of days when the piglets had an increased faecal water content was significantly higher in the probiotic group. Nevertheless, an improved daily weight gain was also observed in the animals that received probiotic L. sobrius relative to the control fed group. The data indicate that L. sobrius may be effective in the reduction of the E. coli F4 colonization and may improve the weight gain of infected piglets.

Baby formula acidification can be used to reduce diarrhea. Calcium formate is a dietary acidifier frequently used in animal weaning diets; it is also a source of available calcium. Gastric acidification reduces gastrin release and hydrochloric acid (HCl) secretion. To study the medium-term effects on fundic gastric mucosa, we fed weaning pigs control diets or diets supplemented with free or fat-protected calcium formate. We evaluated the following: 1) the number of HCl-secreting parietal cells, by immunohistochemistry using an antibody against H(+)/K(+)-ATPase; 2) the number of enteroendocrine cells immunohistochemically stained with chromogranin A (CGA), somatostatin, and histamine (HIS); and 3) the expression of the H(+)/K(+)-ATPase gene, by real-time RT-PCR in the oxyntic mucosa. Cells co-staining for CGA and HIS were defined as enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells. Pigs fed calcium formate had fewer parietal cells and a lower expression of the H(+)/K(+)-ATPase gene than the controls (P < 0.05). This reduction did not occur in pigs fed fat-protected calcium formate. Somatostatin immune-reactive cells were also more numerous in pigs fed free calcium formate than in controls (P < 0.05). The number of ECL cells was not affected. Using covariance analysis, the number of parietal cells explained part of the differences in the expression of H(+)/K(+)-ATPase gene (positive correlation, r = 0.385, P < 0.01), and excluded the statistical significance of the diet. In the future, the effects on the oxyntic mucosa should be checked when the diet supplemented with calcium formate is discontinued. Furthermore, a reduction in the number of parietal cells could impair the absorption of vitamin B-12 due to a reduced secretion of the intrinsic factor by these cells.

Rosetta is one of the most ambitious missions planned by ESA for the beginning of the next millennium. It will explore from very close a comet nucleus along its trajectory up to perihelion. In the instrument complex forming the scientific payload, the GIADA (Grain Impact Analyser and Dust Accumulator) experiment is devoted to study the cometary dust flux evolution and grain dynamic properties. To achieve the required performances and the expected scientific return, GIADA has been designed as a multi-sensor instrument. It is able to detect grain passage by laser light scattering measurement, particle momentum through piezoelectric transducers and mass flux by means of quartz crystal microbalances. In this paper we describe the technical solutions and performances which have been reached on the development models of GIADA.

A 50-year-old gardener with a 3-year history of pemphigus vulgaris and steroid-induced diabetes complained of various papulonodular lesions on the left elbow. The lesions had appeared 11 months previously. Skin biopsy showed chronic granulomatous inflammation of the dermis which contained septate hyphae and large spores mainly free. Fragments of the biopsy specimen, cultured on Sabouraud glucose agar without cycloheximide, for 4 days, produced soft white colonies which later turned blackish brown, especially on the underside. On the basis of the microscopic characters of the conidiophores and conidia, Alternaria tenuissima was identified. This phaeohyphomycete has only been isolated previously in two other cases in Italy.

Pentamers of the L1 major capsid protein of human papillomavirus (HPV type 11) were purified after expression in E. coli and analyzed for the kinetics of in vitro capsid self-assembly using multi-angle light scattering (MALS). Pentamers self-assembled into capsid-like structures at a rate that was a function of protein concentration. The kinetics of capsid formation were sigmoidal with a concentration-dependent lag phase, followed by a rapid increase in polymerization. Nucleation size and the rate order of subsequent subunit addition were calculated from the concentration dependence of the extent of capsid formation and the rate of the fast phase, respectively. Assembly was second order with a nucleation size of two pentamers. Thus, we suggest that dimers of pentamers are the nucleus for L1 assembly into capsid-like structures, with rapid sequential addition of single pentamers to the growing shell. Although studied in vitro without accessory factors that may be present in vivo, these data are in contrast with the "five-around-one" assembly nucleus previously proposed for polyomaviruses.

The effects of seven isoenergetic dietary treatments: (1) no sunflower oil, 35 mg/kg Cu, without α-tocopheryl-acetate added; (2) to (7) 6% high oleic acid sunflower oil (HOSO), 35 or 175 mg/kg Cu crossed with a 0, 100 or 200 mg/kg α-tocopherol addition, were tested on quality characteristics of dry cured Parma hams from a total 84 Large White gilts. No statistically significant effect was detected on parameters of early evaluation of seasoning loss of hams. The seasoning loss and intramuscular fat content of seasoned hams averaged 28.1 and 3.3%, respectively, with no effect of the diet composition. The CIE L*a*b* colour values taken on the surface of the lean from Parma ham were not affected by dietary oil inclusion, nor by copper levels and by α-tocopherol addition in the feed mixture, except for the ‘a’ value that increased in HOSO groups (P

(1986). Vertebrate ecology and ethology. Bollettino di zoologia: Vol. 53, No. sup001, pp. 83-91.

60 suini, svezzati a 21 giorni (d 0), sono stati divisi in 3 gruppi, bilanciati per numero, peso e nidiata ed alimentati con: dieta standard (C), C+1,2% calcio formiato, C+1,2% calcio formiato protetto con grasso. Al giorno 2, i suini sono stati stimolati oralmente con 1,5 ml di una sospensione con 1010 CFU Escherichia coli K88 O148 e sacrificati ai giorni 7 e 8. L’impiego di formiato libero ha migliorato la crescita e l’ingestione, il formiato protetto ho prodotto solo una tendenza al miglioramento. Le due fonti di formiato hanno ridotto l’incidenza di diarrea, l’escrezione fecale di E. coli, le IgA anti E.coli K88 nella saliva e aumentato l’altezza dei villi del piccolo intestino. L’acido formico ha una funzione di promotore di crescita anche in suini stressati con E.coli enterotossigenico. La sua azione è stata però legata principalmente all’effetto sulla persistenza di E.coli totali. Non emerge una particolare convenienza dall’uso di formiato protetto

Importanza della risposta immunitaria nei confronti di commensali residenti e non, per la definizione di strategie d’impiego di probiotici nella dieta del suino in svezzamento. Con l’impiego di probiotici spesso si osserva una maggiore risposta umorale, ma non è documentato se l’animale d’allevamento reagisca anche contro lo stesso probiotico. Sono stati analizzati campioni di sangue e saliva raccolti in due prove di somministrazione di probiotici a suini in svezzamento:A) Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, non tipico del suino; B) Lactobacillus sobrius 001T, isolato dal suino. Anticorpi probiotico specifici sono stati riscontrati nel siero dei soggetti prima del trattamento (prova A) e nei gruppi di controllo, nonostante l’assenza di DNA ceppo-specifico nel loro contenuto intestinale (prova A e B). Utilizzando un test ELISA su siero o saliva preincubati con uno o l’altro dei lattobacilli, si è visto che ciascuno di questi lega parte delle IgA specifiche per l’altro. Quindi batteri con differente affinità per il suino possono presentare attività immunologia crociata reciproca. Nella definizione dell’impiego di un probiotico nella dieta del suinetto si deve valutare con attenzione la presenza di anticorpi già attivi prima della sua somministrazione.

In a full factorial design (4 diets X challenge, Yes/No), 72 weaning pigs were assigned to one of the diets: Control; experimental diets, obtained with the addition of 2 g/kg free sodium butyrate (fNaB), or 0.6 g/kg fat-protected sodium butyrate (pNaB), or 2 g/kg INVE-NutriAd commercial mixture (Mix, based on 75 g/kg protected butyrate). Oral challenge with Escherichia coli K88 was done on 2/3 of pigs on d 7. Pigs were slaughtered on d 13. The mortality in challenged pigs, tended to be higher in control group (50.0 %) than in the three supplemented groups (23.5%). Growth tended to be increased averagely by the supplements (P = 0.100) after the challenge, that also significantly reduced growth. In general the diet did not affect the fecal shedding of Escherichia coli and Lactobacilli, the K88-specific IgA activity in blood, the morphology of oxyntic mucosa and the expression of H+/K+-ATPase gene. The supplementations tended to increase villous length of jejunum (P = 0.101). On the whole, growth, villous height and surviving rate can be positively affected either when the supplementation is done by free butyrate, by protected butyrate or by the special Inve Nutri-Ad product and these effects are distributed both on pigs infected or not with Escherichia coli K88.

In this article, we discuss what differentiates an artificial mind from a human one, during the process of making a choice. We do this without any intention to debunk famous arguments according to which there are aspects of human consciousness and expertise that cannot be simulated by artificial humanlike cognitive entities (like a robot, for example). We will first put in evidence that artificial minds, built on top of Deep Neural Network (DNN) technologies, are probabilistic in nature, and follow a very clear line of reasoning. Simply told, their reasoning style can be assimilated to a process that starts from a bunch of example data and learns to point to the most likely output, where the meaning of likely, here, is neither vague or fuzzy, but it obeys well-known probability theories. Nonetheless, as such, choices could be made by those intelligent entities that fail to pass human plausibility criteria, even if those chosen are those with high probability values. We will provide an (obvious) explanation for this apparent paradox, and we will demonstrate that an artificial mind based on a DNN can be driven to translate probabilities into choices that humans judge as plausible. Finally, we will show how an artificial probabilistic mind can be made to learn from its errors, till the point where it exhibits a cognitive behavior comparable to that of a human being.

Is the COVID-19 pandemic going to force the fashion industry to rethink herself and push it to embrace digital technologies more massively than before? The answer is most likely “yes”, but the question is somewhat ill-posed. In fact, the fashion world, especially haute couture, has always been very keen to innovation and to digital technology. Even before the current situation, there have been experiments that encompass every part of the fashion ecosystem, including smarter supply chain and manufacturing, design of new materials, new ways of presenting fashion with digitally augmented shows. While other businesses are hardly learning that digital is the way to go, the fashion world seems to have found this insight a long time ago and has been a fertile field for digital applications for a long time. For example, the commercial model has already shifted from being centered around retailers to being heavily reliant on online shopping. Not only this, but we are also seeing an increasing number of so-called digital native fashion brands, that is brands designed from the ground up to be entities of the digital world. This new way of selling fashion has been leveraging big data for some years now. Nonetheless, the abrupt change in our life dictated by the global advent of COVID-19, with the measures taken to mitigate it, like quarantine for example, is most certainly having an further effect on this industry, at all levels, from haute couture to fast fashion, from big brands to small ones. Some few examples include big fashion shows,where dazzling set pieces and parties are no longer possible, replaced by internet live streams. Even big fairs are now hosted as online events,with many brands launching digital applications that allow customers to try clothes virtually. All this considered, while it is certainly true that what happened in 2020 has had the primary effect ofrelegating retail stores almost to mere warehouses,with the catastrophic possibility they can even disappear in the foreseeable future, yet we believe thatthe correct question to ask is whether this phenomenon has just started now or has simply accelerated with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.In this paper, we favor this second hypothesis,and maintain that the current shift in the fashion industry practices and prioritiesfollow a trend started may years ago, that the spread of the virus has only emphasized., ZoneModa Journal, V. 10 N. 2 (2020): Moda, Tecnologia e Distanziamento Sociale

Il volume affronta in chiave storica le più importanti problematiche etiche. Si articola infatti in cinque sezioni: la prima, Virtù e felicità, analizza il pensiero greco classico al cui interno la filosofia rappresenta una scelta esistenziale per conseguire una vita buona e felice; la seconda Bene e male affronta il rapporto tra filosofia e religione in Agostino e Tommaso; la terza Libertà e responsabilità parte da un esame dell'etica cartesiana per arrivare, attraverso il formalismo kantiano, alla riflessione hegeliana; la quarta affronta la Crisi della razionalità dall'opera decostruttrice dei maestri del sospetto fino a Heidegger e alla scuola di Francoforte; la quinta e ultima sezione Quali regole per l'agire? analizza la riabilitazione della filosofia pratica e le etiche pubbliche e della responsabilità.

The microbial community in the guts of mammals is often seen as an important potential target in therapeutic and preventive interventions. The aim of the present study was to determine whether enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4 infection in young animals might be counteracted by a probiotic treatment with Lactobacillus sobrius DSM 16698. The experiment was conducted in three randomized consecutive replications, each consisting of 16 piglets, and including a control group and an L. sobrius fed group, both experimentally challenged with ETEC. During the entire trial, the animals' health status, body weight, and microbial parameters were monitored periodically. Probiotic supplementation containing L. sobrius significantly reduced the levels of ETEC in the ileum when fed directly to piglets after weaning. In contrast, the number of days when the piglets had an increased faecal water content was significantly higher in the probiotic group. Nevertheless, an improved daily weight gain was also observed in the animals that received probiotic L. sobrius relative to the control fed group. The data indicate that L. sobrius may be effective in the reduction of the E. coli F4 colonization and may improve the weight gain of infected piglets.